Author: Admin

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Cabinet on Tuesday (Oct 7) approved a consumption stimulus programme worth 44 billion baht (US$1.36 billion), a government spokesperson said, as the new government tries to boost a sluggish economy.The “co-payment” scheme will subsidise up to 60 per cent of the costs of certain food and consumer goods for qualified Thai citizens.The scheme is one of the stimulus measures aimed at boosting Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which has been hit by US tariffs, high household debt, weak consumption, and a strong currency. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said last week that the scheme was expected to boost economic growth by…

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats believe health care is an issue that resonates with a majority of Americans as they demand an extension of subsidies in exchange for their votes to reopen the shuttered U.S. government. But it is also one of the most intractable issues in Congress — and a real compromise amid the government shutdown will not likely be easy, or quick. There are some Republicans in Congress who want to extend the higher subsidies, which were first put in place in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of people who receive their insurance through the…

[SINGAPORE] Under a new grant, tariff-hit local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can claim up to half the costs involved in adapting, while affected larger local companies can claim up to 30 per cent.Launched on Tuesday (Oct 7) by Enterprise Singapore, the Business Adaptation Grant (BizAdapt) is capped at S$100,000 per company.Applications are now open on the government’s Business Grants Portal, with the grant available for a two-year period until Oct 6, 2027.This period may be extended if necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said in response to reporters’ questions on Tuesday.“This grant is specific, targeted at the impact…

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats believe health care is an issue that resonates with a majority of Americans as they demand an extension of subsidies in exchange for their votes to reopen the shuttered U.S. government. But it is also one of the most intractable issues in Congress — and a real compromise amid the government shutdown will not likely be easy, or quick. There are some Republicans in Congress who want to extend the higher subsidies, which were first put in place in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of people who receive their insurance through the…

PM Anwar’s economic vision calls for sustainable and compassionate development as his government faces the test of shoring up political support ahead of possible national polls in 2026 or 2027[KUALA LUMPUR] With state elections looming, Malaysia’s Budget 2026 is expected to walk a fine line between fiscal consolidation and voter-friendly measures.Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim – halfway through his term – will unveil the Budget on Friday (Oct 10), the first under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the fourth of his premiership since taking office in 2022. The 78-year-old is also Malaysia’s finance minister.The stakes are high. Anwar’s Madani economic…

The central bank has cut its key rate by 150 basis points since August 2024 as inflation slowed, backed by declining rice prices[MANILA] Philippine inflation stayed below the central bank’s target range in September, but the central bank isn’t likely to cut its benchmark interest rate at this week’s meeting following the peso’s recent weakness.Consumer prices rose 1.7 per cent last month from a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday (Oct 7). That was below the 1.9 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey and followed the 1.5 per cent rate in August.Inflation has…

The curtain descends on an epoch at Kadena Air Base as the F-15C/D Eagles depart and give way to the F-15EX Eagle II. For decades, the Eagle was the embodiment of American air supremacy; its replacement is not just a substitute but a well-thought-out move forward, designed to answer the challenges of high-end air warfare […]

Ralph Vacchiano NFL Reporter Three teams in the top five of last week’s Power Rankings lost in Week 5, and five of the top 10 overall lost. Two of them were thankfully enjoying their bye weeks. And two that won had to hang on for dear life in a wild fourth quarter. So, seriously, doesn’t anyone want to win this thing this year? And how can anyone make sense of this weird week in a very strange season so far? I’ll give it a shot in my Week 6 NFL Power Rankings.*Super Bowl LX odds courtesy of DraftKings SportsbookSuper Bowl odds:…

Tokyo-listed Advantest gained more than 2 per cent and Renesas more than 4 per cent, while tech investment titan SoftBank was up 2.6 per cent. TSMC in Taipei jumped 2.5 per cent.That helped push gains across most of Asia, with Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta all up. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul were closed for holidays.The gains followed new records for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in New York.Gold hit a fresh peak of US$3,977.44 – pushing closer to the US$4,000 mark – as investors eye the US government shutdown, with Republicans and Democrats appearing no closer to an…

The list includes influential female leaders who have seized volatility as opportunities for business advantage [SINGAPORE] DBS chief executive Tan Su Shan, who took over the reins at the bank this year, has been crowned No 1 on a list of the most powerful women in Asia by Fortune.The 2025 edition of the “Most Powerful Women Asia” list recognises 100 female leaders across 14 markets in the region. Selected by Fortune editors for their measurable impact, reach and capacity to shape the future, the list includes influential women leaders who have seized regional and global volatility as opportunities for business advantage,…